Autism Genetics

A special report revealed that genetics of autism is as complex as autism. The condition runs in families, but most of the relevant mutations identified so far arose spontaneously in the sperm or egg or after fertilization. The list of genes tied to autism continues to grow. Researches have expanded to mitochondrial DNA and elements buried within the genome regulate the expression of genes. Environmental factors and experiences can also alter gene expression by changing the patterns of chemical tags on DNA. Genetic variants that are common in the general population may work together in groups to increase the risk of autism. Source: https://spectrumnews.org/features/special-reports/the-genetics-of-autism/autism